Arrival in Tbilisi Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Free evening in Tbilisi.

*Optional Tbilisi City Tour for this day

Tbilisi City Tour: Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral built in 21st c. and being the main Christian Orthodox cathedral in Georgia. Metekhi Church of 13th c. located on the former area of the first royal residence overlooking Mtkvari River. Walking to Europe square, Darejani Palce, Rike Park and pedestrian modern glass bridge. Ride up by the aerial cable car to Narikala Fortress, the oldest building in the city (dates back to 4th century AD), Fort has a superb location with magnificent panoramic views over Tbilisi. Stroll down to Legvtakhevi(translated literally as “Fig Ravine”) – a beautiful place with waterfall. Take a walk in the Sulfur bathhouse square, Shardeni street, its neighborhood and Meidan square with its outdoor restaurants and souvenir shops. Cross the Bridge of Peace – a modern glass bridge in high-tech style. Visit Flea Market at the Dry Bridge, buy some souvenirs and handicraft. Free time on Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Approx. Distance: 240 km (4 h 45 min)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out for Vardzia trip. This day reviles remote villages of Javakheti region, Tsalka, Paravani and Sagamo lakes and pastures. the most attractive cave city Vardzia. Don’t miss the chance to visit an impressive Dashbashi Canyon Natural Monument distinguished by diversity of nature and spectacular landscapes (upon availability, extra charge paid on spot). Pass the towns Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki and picturesque Dukhobors’ village named Gorelovka.

Arrive in Vardzia and Check In to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Make a optional stop at Vardzia cave- mediaeval rock-hewn cave city established in the 12th c. Vardzia was carved in the volcanic rocks on 13 levels, linked inside by internal tunnels-corridors, secrete passages and painted chapels. Sixteen years old Lady king Tamar together with her father King Georgi III is depicted on the Southern wall inside hall type church. Excursion in the caves and tunnels will take about one hour.

Next Suggested place is Akhaltsikhe- a historical town and administrative center of Samtskhe-Javakheti region in South Georgia. There are numerous ruined strongholds from the middle ages on the way: the most remarkable are Tmogvi and Khertvisi. Take time, visit one and feel the spirit of battlefields.

In Akhaltsikhe visit Castle in Rabati district( as an optional stop). The complex is contemporarily renovated and consists of the castle of 14th c., several churches, a mosque, synagogue, and a museum, which houses different manuscript, book, photo, archaeological and numismatic collections.

*Optional Vardzia cave, per person price 17GEL

*Optional Rabati fortress, per person price 18 GEL,+guide 40GEL

*Optional Khertvisi fortress, per person price 10GEL

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. 

Approx. Driving distance: 4 hr 5 min (133 km) 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Drive to Kutaisi, capital town of former kingdom of Abkhasia and Imereti, famous for its hospitality and delicious cuisine. The road goes through Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Zekari Pass on elevation of 2.174m. Nested in the pine wood forest, on the way you can visit  Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory- the first mountainous “classical” observatory in the Soviet Union (upon availability, extra charge on spot). 

Cross Zekari Pass and arrive to the spa-resort Sairme. Stop to taste mineral spring waters at the Health Resort. This unique location offers healing springs, beautiful nature and ecologically clean environment.

Arrive in Kutaisi. Relaxing evening. Optional visit to UNESCO world heritage site Bagrati Cathedral  (11th c), located on top of the hill in Kutaisi city center. 

*Optional  Abastumany observatory, per person price 10GEL

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Approx. driving distance 164 km (4 h 25 min)

Breakfast at the Kutaisi hotel. Morning visit of farmer’s market.

Drive to Ushguli– the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe, passing the towns Tsageri and Lentekhi. The off-road adventures in high Caucasus Mountains start here: the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo (lover) Svaneti are connected to Zemo(upper) Svaneti through Zagari pass at an elevation of 2.620m above the sea level. This road is considered as one of the most epic in the world. To cover 164 km in total, it will take about 5 hours driving time.

Find yourself in the realm of medieval towers, surrounded by the mountains of Great Caucasus Range, glaciers, high peaks and roaring waterfalls. The way to Ushguli is extremely picturesque.

Overnight in Ushguli.

Approx. driving distance: 4 hr 17 min (133 km)

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Explore Ushguli village – the highest mountain here is Shkhara (Elevation 5193 m), bordering Georgia from North with Kabardo-Balkan, republic of Russia. The whole village with its fortifications is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Drive to Mestia passing ancient villages: Kala, Adishi, Mulakhi.

Arrive in Mestia for two overnights.

Approx. driving distance: 24 min (10.4 km) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Relaxing day. Visit Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which houses old Georgian gospel books and manuscripts, ethnographic and archaeological items, Georgian Orthodox icons painted in Svanetian style, etc. Walk up to the tower and house museum of Margiani. In this tower-museum visitor can take a look at local dwelling – “Machubi” and get introduced to the traditional lifestyle of the Svans.

Continue to villages: Latali and Lemjeri located near Mestia town containing churches decorated with medieval frescos and murals.

Overnight in Mestia.

*Suggested: Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, per person price 20GEL+ guide 50 GEL

*Suggested: house museum of Margiani, Per person price 10GEL, guide 50GEL

Approx. driving distance: 5 hr 16 min (247 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and start driving to the natural monument – Martvili Canyon, created over millions of years by Abasha river. It is possible to make a boat trip and get to the 7-meter high waterfall of the canyon.

Continue to Nokalakevi, Samegrelo region to visit archaeological site. The complex consists of citadel of late antique period, ruins of Kings of Egrisi Palaces of 4th-6th cc, remains of bathhouses and water reservoirs of the same period, secret tunnels and the remains of several churches.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Optional: Martvili canyon, per person price 35GEL

Optional: Nokalakevi, per person  price 10 GEL

Approx. driving distance: 4 hr 27 min (269 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Explore Prometheus Caves ( Optional). in Tskaltubo-one of the most popular and largest international karst caves, and includes various types of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. The cluster of six caves differs significantly from each other in scale and the unique shapes of petrified flowstones found within.

Drive to Tbilisi. Free evening. 

*Optional: Prometheus cave, per person price 23GEL

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tbilisi Airport.